Brake Mounted Firearm Noise Suppressor

ABSTRACT

Provided is a firearm noise suppressor for use with a muzzle brake of the type having a body and a substantially conical wall therein together defining an inner chamber and a substantially open forward end. The noise suppressor includes a housing that is removably attachable at a rearward end to the forward open end of the muzzle brake. The housing includes a peripheral wall and a forward end wall having an outlet sized and positioned to allow a projectile to pass. At least one baffle is positioned in the housing and defines at least two inner chambers within the housing when attached to the muzzle brake.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/719,861 filed May 22, 2015, and claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/050,478, filed Sep. 15, 2014.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device, attachable to the open forward end of a Krinkov-type muzzle brake, for providing a modular firearm noise suppressor or silencer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Muzzle brakes or recoil compensators are known, which redirect propellant gases to counter recoil when a firearm is fired. Likewise, a flash suppressor is a known device attached to the muzzle of a rifle that reduces its visible signature while firing by cooling or dispersing the burning gases that exit the muzzle, a phenomenon more often associated with carbine length weapons. A number of different flash suppressing designs have been used over the years. The simplest is a cone placed on the muzzle end of the barrel, which was used during World War II on jungle-combat versions of the Lee-Enfield, No. 5 variant, or the M1 Carbine. Pronged or birdcage type flash suppressors have also been used, which radially disperse burning gases rapidly exiting the muzzle.

Another type of flash suppressor, which may also aid in reliability by increasing back pressure, is patterned after the Krinkov brake found on the Soviet AK74SU submachine gun. The Krinkov brake provides an expansion chamber with a cone-shaped exit nozzle. Other later devices, such as the KX3 flash suppressor sold by Noveske Rifleworks, LLC of Grants Pass, Oreg., have rearranged the Krinkov brake to position a chamber around the cone, shortening the overall length of the muzzle device. A Krinkov-type brake is not considered a noise suppressor, also known as a silencer, because, although it has a chamber, it simply redirects the blast that causes sound pressure waves forward and does not have a separate end cap or wall forward of the inner cone.

Under United States law, flash suppressors, muzzle brakes, and compensators are treated differently from noise suppressors. Firearms noise suppressors are regulated as firearms under the National Firearms Act of 1934 and require registration and payment of a transfer tax. Although some states regulate the use of flash suppressors, the use of muzzle brakes and compensators generally are not restricted.

Many types of firearm noise suppressors are available, including some that attach to or over various muzzle devices, including, and combination devices. All of those muzzle devices break up or redirect propellant gasses exiting the muzzle laterally. A Krinkov-type brake inherently has a large diameter forward opening or “bell” that is not conducive to attachment of a noise suppressor. The present invention is intended to improve on these designs and to provide a modular noise suppression unit that can be attached to the forward end of a Krinkov-type brake.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a firearm noise suppressor for use with a muzzle brake of the type having a body and a substantially conical wall therein together defining an inner chamber and a substantially open forward end, also commonly known as a Krinkov-type brake. The noise suppressor includes a housing that is removably attachable at a rearward end to the forward open end of the muzzle brake. The housing includes a peripheral wall and a forward end wall having an outlet sized and positioned to allow a projectile to pass. At least one baffle is positioned in the housing and defines at least two inner chambers within the housing when attached to the muzzle brake. The at least one baffle may include a substantially conical portion that extends at least partially into the open front end of the muzzle brake.

Other aspects, features, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to a person of skill in the art from the detailed description of various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, all of which comprise part of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Like reference numerals are used to indicate by parts throughout the various figures of the drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the device showing a protective ring and a glass break attachment that can attached to the forward end of the device;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view showing the protective ring attached;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view showing the glass break attachment installed;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1, shown in longitudinal section;

FIG. 6 is a side plan view shown in longitudinal section and attached to the muzzle portion of a barrel;

FIG. 7 is a rear isometric view of the inner body member and front cover member with the protective ring attached;

FIG. 8 is an exploded isometric view of the muzzle brake, protective cover, and noise suppressor of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view if the noise suppressor installed on the muzzle brake; and

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal section view of the noise suppressor installed on the muzzle brake.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawing figures, this section describes particular embodiments and their detailed construction and operation. Throughout the specification, reference to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “some embodiments” means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in at least one embodiment. Thus appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” or “in some embodiments” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the described features, structures, and characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In view of the disclosure herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, materials, or the like. In some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments.

Referring to the various figures of the drawing, and first to FIGS. 1-6, therein is shown at 10 a flash suppressing muzzle brake device of the present invention. The device 10 includes a substantially cylindrical main body housing 12 with a rear end portion 14 adapted to be secured, such as by threading, onto the muzzle of a firearm barrel 16 (shown in FIG. 6). The rear portion 14 may be internally threaded to match threads provided at the muzzle end of a barrel 16 and may include flats 18 to facilitate tightening the main body housing 12 to the threaded connections. If desired, a pin 20 may be used to permanently secure the device 10 to the barrel 16.

The device 10 includes an inner body member 22 having a substantially conical forward portion 24 and a rear portion 26 provided with a plurality of elongated radial ports 28. The inner body member 22 is held in place in an inner chamber 30 of the main body housing 12 by a front cover member 32. When assembled, the inner chamber 30 is defined by the main body housing 12, the exterior of the inner body member 22, and the front cover member 32, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The front cover member 32 may include a series of external threads 34 configured to match a series of internal threads 36 on the interior of the main body housing 12. The front cover member 32 is configured on the inside to receive and support a forward rim 38 of the cone portion 24. The main body housing 12 may also include an internal annular recess 40 adjacent the rear end portion 14 to receive the rear portion 26 of the inner body member 22. When the front cover member 32 is threaded into engagement with the main body housing 12, the inner body member 22 is secured in compression therebetween, as shown in FIG. 6. Specifically, the inner body member 22, provides a passageway axially aligned with the bore 42 of the firearm barrel 16 when mounted. At the rear portion 26 of the inner body member 22 there is a chamber area 44 into which a projectile enters as it first exits the muzzle of the firearm barrel 16. The chamber area 44 includes a plurality of radial ports 28 which control the rapidly expanding and high pressure gases being ported into the inner chamber 30 of the main body housing 12. At least a portion of the muzzle blast impacts a rearward facing annular wall 46 at the forward end of the chamber area 44. The radial ports 28 may be in the form of elongated slots, which, if desired, may extend substantially the full axial length of the rear portion 26 and be opened at the rearward most end. Also if desired, the length of the radial ports 28 may be angled or helically configured in the direction of rotation of the exiting projectile. For example, the helical orientation of the radial ports 28 may be made to correspond with the twist rate and direction of the rifling (not shown) in the bore 42 of the firearm barrel 16. The high pressure flow of gasses passing through the radial ports 28 into the inner chamber 30 of the main body housing 12 impacts forward walls of that chamber 30 to partially counteract the recoil forces of the firearm.

Forward of the chamber area 44 and in axial alignment with the bore 42 of the barrel 16, is a passageway 48 which is sized to be only slightly larger in diameter than the projectile to be fired from the barrel 16. The passageway 48 diameter should be kept as small as practical, while avoiding possible contact with the projectile. Forward of the passageway 48 is the conical portion 24 of the inner body member 22 defining a substantially conical chamber 50 with a fully open forward end 52. As high velocity gases pass through the central passageway 48 and enter the conical chamber 50, the stream is pulled toward the conical interior walls by the Coanda Effect (the tendency of a fluid jet to be attracted to a nearby surface). This causes the high velocity stream of gases to expand rapidly in cross-sectional area, which results in a corresponding rapid drop in fluid stream pressure and dissipation of the burning gasses that cause muzzle flash.

The forward end of the front cover member 32 may be made with an annular series of spikes 54, which provide a crenellated strike surface on the muzzle device 10. If desired, a front cover ring 56 may be provided to cover the spikes 54 to guard against inadvertent contact with or injury to nearby persons or objects. The cover ring 56 may be internally threaded 58 to correspond with the external threads 34 of the front cover member 32. Also if desired, at least a portion of the exterior surface of the front cover ring 56 may be provided with knurling 60 to facilitate grip when removing. Alternatively, a glass brake attachment 62 may be threaded on to the front cover member 32. The glass break attachment 62 provides one or more forwardly-extending elongated tines 64 with hardened, sharp ends that can be used as an impact tool.

Referring now in particular to FIG. 7, if desired, the rearward edge of the front cover member 32 may be provided with one or more tabs 66 or notches to provide grip in the event the external threads 34 of the front cover member 32 become stuck with the internal threads 58 of the front cover ring 56 (shown) or the glass brake attachment 62 (not shown).

Also if desired, a series of dimples 68 or depressions may be formed over at least a portion of the outer surface of the main body housing 12 in order to increase the surface area for enhanced heat dissipation.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, therein is shown at 70 a firearm noise suppressor that is mountable directly to the forward end of a muzzle brake 10 of the type described above. The device 70 includes a tubular body 72 with an open rear end 74 and a forward wall or end cap 76. The body 72 may be provided with interior threads 78 adjacent the open rear end 74 that will mate with the external threads 34 on the front cover member 32 of the muzzle brake device 10. As shown in FIG. 8, the suppressor 70 may be attached in lieu of the front cover ring 56 or other assessory for the muzzle brake device 10 and the body 70 may be sized to match the size and shape of the main body housing 12 of the brake 10.

Because the tubular body 72 of the suppressor 70 does not include any rear wall or end cap, it cannot be mounted directly to the muzzle of a firearm barrel and is incomplete to function as a firearm noise suppressor. Other types of muzzle brakes to which other firearm noise suppressors may be mounted include lateral ports through which propulsion gases are diverted and expelled. For this reason, suppressors that fit over such muzzle brakes must be designed to attach rearward of those lateral ports in order to contain the laterally-diverted gas flow. One such example is shown in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0340313, published Dec. 26, 2013. The Krinkov-type muzzle brake device 10 described above includes only one, enlarged and forwardly-directed opening through which propulsion gases are expelled. In the form described above, the muzzle brake 10 does not reduce the sound of the firearm discharge, but merely redirects it in a forward direction.

The interior of the tubular body 72 includes one or more baffles which divide the interior into a plurality of chambers 82 behind the front wall or end cap 76. Each of the baffles 80 and the forward wall 76 includes a central opening 84, 86 axially aligned with the central passageway 48 and bore 42 of the firearm barrel 16 so that a projectile expelled from the barrel 16 is allowed to pass closely, but without interference or contact. A wide variety of shapes, styles or designs may be used for the baffles 82 in the present invention. The exact design or number of the baffles 82 is not pertinent to the present invention, only their position within the tubular body 72. Likewise, the length and/or diameter of the tubular body 72 may be varied as necessary to accommodate a selected number or size of baffles, depending on the caliber of the firearm on which it is to be used and the degree of noise suppression desired.

If the muzzle brake 10 includes a portion that projects forwardly of the location of the exterior threads 34, the tubular body 72 must extend sufficiently rearward of the baffles 80 in order to attach and accommodate the forward projection, as shown in the illustrated embodiment. At the same time, because the forward end of a Krinkov-type muzzle brake has a large open forward end 52 and conical chamber 50, the baffles 80 may include an elongated conical shape that takes advantage of and extend into this open area at the front of the brake 10.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a relatively low cost unit that can be attached with ease and modularity to a Krinkov-type muzzle brake. As discussed above, the sale, possession and use of muzzle brakes is generally not restricted by state and federal laws. The modular noise suppressor, which is subject to registration and a transfer tax through an extended procedure, may be added at a later time.

When the suppressor unit 70 assembled onto the muzzle brake 10, the open forward end 52 of the conical chamber 50 is enclosed. In this configuration, the conical forward portion 24 of the inner body member 22 becomes a baffle and the inner chamber 30 and conical chamber 50 of the muzzle brake device 10 become baffle chambers contributing to the overall noise suppression effect of the assembled unit.

While one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing is intended only to be illustrative of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be included and considered to fall within the scope of the invention, defined by the following claim or claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A firearm noise suppressor for use with a muzzle brake of the type having a body and a substantially conical wall therein together defining an inner chamber and a substantially open forward end, the noise suppressor comprising: a housing removably attachable at a rearward end to a forward open end of a muzzle brake, the housing including a peripheral wall and a forward end wall having an outlet sized and positioned to allow a projectile to pass; and at least one baffle positioned in the housing configured to define at least two inner chambers within the housing when attached to the muzzle brake.
 2. The firearm noise suppressor of claim 1, wherein the housing has an exterior profile substantially matching an exterior profile of the muzzle brake body.
 3. The firearm noise suppressor of claim 2, wherein the housing and the muzzle brake body are substantially cylindrical.
 4. The firearm noise suppressor of claim 3, wherein the body and housing have substantially same exterior diameter.
 5. The firearm noise suppressor of claim 1, wherein the brake has external threads on a forward portion of the body and the suppressor body has mating internal threads for connection of the suppressor to the brake.
 6. The firearm noise suppressor of claim 5, further comprising a removably attachable thread cover that protects the external threads of the brake when the suppressor is not installed thereon.
 7. The firearm noise suppressor of claim 1, wherein at least one baffle has a substantially conical portion extending at least partially into the open front end of the muzzle brake.
 8. A convertible muzzle brake and noise suppressor combination for a firearm, comprising: a muzzle brake having a body with an inner cavity and a substantially open forward end; a conical element defining a substantially conical bore and having a tapered external surface, the conical element being received in the forward end of the body to define a flash suppression chamber within the inner cavity; a detachable noise suppressor having a housing attachable at a rearward end to the forward open end of the muzzle brake body, the housing including a peripheral wall and a forward end wall having an outlet sized and positioned to allow a projectile to pass; and at least one baffle positioned in the housing configured to define at least two inner chambers within the housing when attached to the muzzle brake.
 9. The firearm noise suppressor of claim 8, wherein the housing has an exterior profile substantially matching an exterior profile of the muzzle brake body.
 10. The firearm noise suppressor of claim 9, wherein the housing and the muzzle brake body are substantially cylindrical.
 11. The firearm noise suppressor of claim 10, wherein the body and housing have substantially same exterior diameter.
 12. The firearm noise suppressor of claim 8, wherein the brake has external threads on a forward portion of the body and the suppressor body has mating internal threads for connection of the suppressor to the brake.
 13. The firearm noise suppressor of claim 12, further comprising a removably attachable thread cover that protects the external threads of the brake when the suppressor is not installed thereon.
 14. The firearm noise suppressor of claim 8, wherein at least one baffle has a substantially conical portion extending at least partially into the open front end of the muzzle brake. 